Real Madrid play their third game of the season in La Liga on Saturday. They are hoping to extend their 100% start by seeing off Mallorca.
It has been a positive start to the 2025/26 campaign for Xabi Alonso. He didn’t really have time to get many of his ideas across before the Club World Cup, but he is now really starting to make his mark. The ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss axed Vinicius Junior and Trent Alexander-Arnold from his lineup last time out, making something of a statement in the process.
Vinicius responded in the best possible fashion, by coming off the bench to score and assist in a 3-0 win over Real Oviedo. He’s likely to return here in place of Rodrygo, who had been expected to leave the club this summer.
Mallorca form the opposition as the Balearic Islanders’ tough start to the campaign continues. They were beaten 3-0 at home by Barcelona on the opening weekend, in a game which saw Jagoba Arrasate’s side reduced to nine men. Back in Palma on matchday two, they needed a late goal from Mateu Morey to salvage a point against Celta Vigo.
Any result would be a bonus for them here, but it may not be until after the international break that their season really gets into full swing.
How the bookies view it: Los Blancos expected to triumph
Real Madrid are the 2/11 favourites to win this match with Boylesports. If you sense a surprise is in store at the Bernabeu, you can back Mallorca to win at 12/1, while the draw is priced at 5/1.
Recent head-to-head: Four wins from five for Madrid
Mallorca’s last victory over this opposition came at home in February 2023, when they were 1-0 winners. Since then, Real Madrid have won four out of five, with three of those victories coming to nil. The clubs met on this ground as recently as May, with the home team winning 2-1 on that occasion.
Players to watch: Mbappe looking lively
Alonso’s side have looked more organised defensively in their opening two games, but there is still work to do at the other end. So far, their attacking threat has largely come from Mbappe, with the Frenchman scoring three of their four goals to date.
He’s had 13 shots already in La Liga 2025/26. If you’re expecting him to pepper the visitors’ goal in this game, backing Mbappe to have over 5.5 shots at 6/5 with Unibet may be worth considering.
Predicted Lineups
Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy are the four injury absentees for the home team.
As for Mallorca, they should be at full strength at the Bernabeu, with Samu Costa available once more following injury.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carreras, Huijsen, Rudiger, Carvajal, Tchouameni, Valverde, Guler, Vinicius, Mbappe, Mastantuono.
Mallorca: Roman, Kumbulla, Raillo, Valjent, Mojica, Darder, Morlanes, Morey, Torre, Muriqi, Joseph.
Anything else catch the eye?
After back-to-back clean sheets when they were rarely troubled by their opponents, Real Madrid look good at 4/5 to win this game to nil with Boylesports. That’s particularly true given Mallorca averaged less than a goal per 90 minutes last term, and have only scored once so far in La Liga 2025/26.
They are relatively organised defensively though, so there may be value in backing them to hold firm until the break. You can back Draw/Real Madrid in the HT/FT market at 14/5 with the same bookmaker.
GambleAware